The 26,280 Hours of Patriarch Kirill

February 1 marks the anniversary of Patriarch Kirill’s enthronement. From an historical perspective, three years is a short and sometimes insignificant moment. However, during this simultaneously short and long time, the sixteenth Primate of Russian Orthodoxy has shown himself to be not only a caring pastor and an active missionary, but also a fine diplomat, honest public figure, and bold reformer.

In church circles, whenever the topic of discussion is workload and responsibilities, nearly everyone immediately thinks of the Patriarch. One hears the following in many conversations: “I have never seen such an ability to work every minute.” “I am learning from him how to be truly focused and not to waste a single moment.”

February 1 marks the anniversary of Patriarch Kirill’s enthronement. From an historical perspective, three years is a short and sometimes insignificant moment. However, during this simultaneously short and long time, the sixteenth Primate of Russian Orthodoxy has shown himself to be not only a caring pastor and an active missionary, but also a fine diplomat, honest public figure, and bold reformer.

Every minute is occupied with intensive work.

Three years of Primatial service means 66 visits to dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church in Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and 10 countries, including Armenia, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon. Despite this heavy travel schedule, it includes 86 ordinations of bishops and priests, 36 consecrations of churches, and the signing of scores of important documents. This also includes one of the most important Councils of Bishops in the history of the Russian Church, 14 meetings of the Synod, and the formation of 39 new dioceses, 34 of which were created in 2011.

1,095 days as Primate means 638 divine services, 1,500 sermons, speeches, and greetings delivered to millions of faithful. This means 163 epistles to ecclesiastical, governmental, and simple believers around the world, in which the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church expressed joy and sorrow, support and sympathy for a wide variety of socio-political causes. This means 32 interviews with Russian and international media.

26,280 hours on the Patriarchal throne means miles of travel, days and nights of air travel, and millions of believers. And this is just the beginning…

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